ai4bharat/Pralekha huggingface dataset:
Ministry of Power
POWERGRID signs agreement with State Government to improve telecom connectivity in hilly areas of Himachal Pradesh
To improve telecom connectivity in hilly areas, Power Grid Corporation of India Limited , the PSU under Ministry of Power, has recently signed an agreement with Himachal Pradesh State Electricity Board Ltd.  in Shimla  for utilization of 500 Kms of OPGW Telecom network. This is in addition to the existing 350 Kms of OPGW laid on HPSEBL Extra High Voltage  lines already being used in the state to boost its connectivity. This total 850 Kms long telecom network will enable POWERGRID Telecom to reach remote areas of Kangra, Una, Mandi, Kullu, Bilaspur, Sirmour, Palampur, Sundernagar, Banikhet, Amb, Paonta Sahib, Nahan etc.
Due to rough weather conditions, landslides and difficult terrains, the state had been facing limited telecom network reach, and this will give much needed connectivity to remote areas of the state.
Through this OPGW Network, Telecom Service providers will be able to provide uninterrupted mobile/Internet services to the people of the state.
POWERGRID has created over 67,500 km of OFC network connecting over 1000 plus locations across the country carrying traffic in multiple of 10G/100G in rings. The POWERGRID OFC network covers all the important towns & cities of the country along with the hilly & difficult terrains of J&K and North Eastern Region. The Company has also provided the domestic leg of International Connectivity to Bhutan and Nepal, and proposed connectivity to Bangladesh up to the Indian border to International Long Distance  Licensees.
About POWERGRID
POWERGRID, a ‘Maharatna’ CPSE under Ministry of Power, Government of India and Central Transmission Utility  of India, is India’s principal power transmission company and also one of the largest power transmission utilities in the world. POWERGRID’s vast transmission network comprises of ~168,140 circuit kilometers of transmission lines, 252 EHVAC & HVDC substations with transformation capacity of about 420,630 MVA, spread across the country. This network has been consistently maintained at an average availability of >99%. The Company’s shares are listed on the BSE and the NSE and are a part of S&P BSE SENSEX and NIFTY.
Ministry of Finance
News report of Merger of two Boards of Revenue factually incorrect
Government has no proposal to merge two Boards created under the Central Boards of Revenue Act, 1963
A news item has been published today in a leading newspaper that the Government is considering proposal to merge the Central Board of Direct Taxes and Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs. This news item is factually incorrect as the Government has no proposal to merge the two Boards created under the Central Boards of Revenue Act, 1963. It has been published without due verification of facts from the competent authorities of Ministry of Finance and only creates a policy distraction when the Ministry is amidst implementation of a large number of taxpayers’ friendly reforms like transition from manual assessment based on territorial jurisdiction to a completely randomized electronic faceless assessment, electronic verification or transactions and faceless appeals.
As pointed out in the report, the said merger was one of the recommendations of the Tax Administrative Reforms Commission . The report of TARC was examined in detail by the Government and this recommendation of TARC was not accepted by the Government. As a part on an assurance made by the Government in the Parliament in response to a Parliament question, the Government has also placed this fact in 2018 before the Committee on Government Assurances. The action taken report on the recommendations of the TARC is placed even on the website of Department of Revenue, which clearly shows that this recommendation was not accepted.
It is evident that this misleading article has been published with no due diligence of even checking official records placed in the public domain or checking the latest status with relevant competent authorities in the Ministry of Finance. It not only reflects poorly on the quality of journalism but also shows a complete disregard for due diligence. If such an unverified story is given a front-page lead story position, it should be a concern for all news reading public. This news item is completely rejected as baseless and unverified.
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
COVID - 19 Vaccination Update - Day 455
India’s cumulative vaccination coverage crosses 186.36 Crore
More than 5.79lakh Vaccine doses administered today till 7 pm
More than 2.39 Crore Vaccine Doses administered to 12-14 age group so far
India’s COVID-19 vaccination coverage has crossed 186.36 Crore  today. More than 5.79 lakh  Vaccine Doses have been administered till 7 pm today. More than 2.39 Crore  vaccine doses have been administered to 12-14 years age group so far. More than 2.51 Crore Precaution Doses for the identified categories of beneficiaries  for COVID vaccination have been administered so far. The daily vaccination tally is expected to increase with the compilation of the final reports for the day by late tonight.
The cumulative coverage of vaccine doses, segregated based on population priority groups, is as follows:
|
|
Cumulative Vaccine Dose Coverage
|
|
HCWs
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
10404313
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
10007717
|
|
Precaution Dose
|
|
4585443
|
|
FLWs
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
18414248
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
17525157
|
|
Precaution Dose
|
|
7111053
|
|
Age Group 12-14 years
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
23982437
|
|
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
55951
|
|
Age Group 15-18 years
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
57842611
|
|
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
40288144
|
|
Age Group 18-44 years
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
555218257
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
472217134
|
|
Precaution Dose
|
|
23979
|
|
Age Group 45-59 years
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
202845164
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
186690270
|
|
Precaution Dose
|
|
85101
|
|
Over 60 years
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
126809790
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
116290500
|
|
Precaution Dose
|
|
13297065
|
|
Cumulative 1st dose administered
|
|
995516820
|
|
Cumulative 2nd dose administered
|
|
843074873
|
|
Precaution Dose
|
|
25102641
|
|
Total
|
|
1863694334
Today’s achievement in the vaccination exercise, segregated by population priority groups, is as follows:
|
|
Date: 15th April, 2022 
|
|
HCWs
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
17
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
132
|
|
Precaution Dose
|
|
4686
|
|
FLWs
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
20
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
288
|
|
Precaution Dose
|
|
9188
|
|
Age Group 12-14 years
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
113598
|
|
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
12937
|
|
Age Group 15-18 years
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
14370
|
|
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
69080
|
|
Age Group 18-44 years
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
15043
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
208167
|
|
Precaution Dose
|
|
5230
|
|
Age Group 45-59 years
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
2023
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
40949
|
|
Precaution Dose
|
|
17302
|
|
Over 60 years
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
1542
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
25533
|
|
Precaution Dose
|
|
39033
|
|
Cumulative 1st dose administered
|
|
146613
|
|
Cumulative 2nd dose administered
|
|
357086
|
|
Precaution Dose
|
|
75439
|
|
Total
|
|
579138
The vaccination exercise as a tool to protect the most vulnerable population groups in the country from COVID-19 continues to be regularly reviewed and monitored at the highest level.
President's Secretariat
President of India Inaugurates Centre of Excellence for Genetic Blood Disorders at Prathima Institute in Karimnagar
The President of India, Shri Ram Nath Kovind, inaugurated the Centre of Excellence for Sickle Cell Anaemia, Thalassemia and Other Genetic Blood Disorders at the Prathima Institute of Medical Sciences in Karimnagar, Telangana today .
Speaking on the occasion, the President said that our country has made significant strides in the field of healthcare. However, we still have a long way to go in evolving a holistic healthcare system, one which is uniformly affordable and accessible. Strengthening public hospitals, municipal hospitals, charitable hospitals and primary health and wellness clinics must receive priority. This apart, we need to spread awareness on healthcare issues especially in rural areas and among disadvantaged sections.
Click here to access President's Address
Prime Minister's Office
PM pays tribute to Gopal Krishna Gokhale on his Jayanti
The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi has paid tribute to great freedom fighter Gopal Krishna Gokhale on his Jayanti.
In a tweet, the Prime Minister said that his life, dedicated to the service of the nation, will continue to inspire the countrymen.
Prime Minister's Office
Prime Minister’s Interaction with the Indian Community in Copenhagen
Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, along with the Prime Minister of Denmark H.E. Ms. Mette Frederiksen, addressed and interacted with the Indian community at the Bella Centre in Copenhagen. More than 1000 members of the Indian community in Denmark consisting of students, researchers, professionals and business persons, participated in the event.
Prime Minister appreciated Prime Minister Frederiksen's warmth and respect for Indians and emphasized that both countries can work together in finding innovative solutions for green growth. He lauded the positive role played by the Indian community in Denmark. He highlighted India's economic potential and invited more India-Denmark collaborations.
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
Update on COVID-19 Vaccine Availability in States/UTs
More than 186.36 Crore vaccine doses provided to States/UTs
More than 15.92 Crore balance and unutilized vaccine doses still available with States/UTs
The Union Government is committed to accelerating the pace and expanding the scope of COVID-19 vaccination throughout the country. The nationwide COVID 19 vaccination started on 16th January 2021. The new phase of universalization of COVID-19 vaccination commenced from 21st June 2021. The vaccination drive has been ramped up through availability of more vaccines, advance visibility of vaccine availability to States and UTs for enabling better planning by them, and streamlining the vaccine supply chain.
As part of the nationwide vaccination drive, Government of India has been supporting the States and UTs by providing them COVID Vaccines free of cost. In the new phase of the universalization of the COVID19 vaccination drive, the Union Government will procure and supply  75% of the vaccines being produced by the vaccine manufacturers in the country to States and UTs.
|
|
VACCINE DOSES
|
|

|
|
SUPPLIED
|
|
1,86,36,02,425
|
|
BALANCE AVAILABLE
|
|
15,92,07,891
More than 186.36 crore  vaccine doses have been provided to States/UTs so far through Govt. of India  and through direct state procurement category.
More than 15.92 Cr  balance and unutilized COVID Vaccine doses are still available with the States/UTs to be administered.
Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers
10th National Awards for ‘Technology Innovation in Petrochemicals & Downstream Plastics Processing Industries’ to be presented tomorrow
Union Minister of Chemicals & Fertilizers, Shri D V Sadananda Gowda, will present the 10th National Awards for Technology Innovation in Petrochemicals & Downstream Plastics Processing Industry to the Awardees in the presence of Shri Mansukh Mandaviya, Minister of State for Ports, Shipping and Waterways , Chemicals & Fertilizers, at the function tomorrow at Vigyan Bhavan, New Delhi.
The National Awards for ‘Technology Innovation in Petrochemicals and Downstream Plastic Processing Industries’, an initiative by the Department is aimed to felicitate and recognize the innovative efforts of renowned scientists, researchers and industrialists in the broad areas of Polymer Science & Technologies.
The National Policy on Petrochemicals was announced in April 2007. The policy envisions the development of value added, quality petrochemical products at globally competitive prices using eco-friendly processes and technologies as well as Innovation of newer application and products with focus on sustainable development.
Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports
Tulika Maan, Linthoi Chanambam to compete in 1st ever Khelo India Women’s Judo National League in Delhi
The IG Stadium in the national capital will play host for the 1st Khelo India Women's Judo National League, to be held from October 20 to 23. The league, which is a National Ranking tournament for women Judokas of 4 Zones, is being organised by the Judo Federation of India and the Dept of Sports, Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports.
The tournament has been backed by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, who have sanctioned an amount of Rs 1.74 Crore for organization of the same and to encourage the development of Judo across the grassroots level. The total prize money of the tournament across 31 weight categories is Rs 24.43 Lakh.
The tournament is being organized across four age groups - Sub Junior , Cadet , Junior  and Senior . The cash prize will be awarded to the top 7 judokas across the 31 weight categories.
Commonwealth Games 2022 silver medalist Tulika Maan as well as World Cadet Judo Championship gold medalist and history-maker Linthoi Chanambam will feature in the tournament. A total of 496 Judokas are set for competition. The competitors for the national league are selected based on their ranking and performance from their respective zones, i.e, North, South, East and West.
Also, top-ranked 7 Judokas selected from national selection trials and national judo tournament will compete in the national league.
Ministry of Micro,Small & Medium Enterprises
Government committed to promoting renewable energy, especially in MSME Sector: Gadkari
Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways and Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises, Shri Nitin Gadkari this evening addressed a webinar on “Atmanirbhar Bharat” – “Opportunities in Solar & MSME”. The webinar was organised by Indian People’s Forum in the United Arab Emirates.
In his address, Shri Nitin Gadkari said “the Government is committed to promote renewable energy resources in the country, especially in the MSME sector”. He said that the MSMEs with good track record are now being encouraged for capital market. He also said that there is a huge opportunity for investment in scrapping policy. He said India has tremendous potential and capacity for electricity generation. He said that the solar power rate in India is Rs.2.40 per unit and commercial rate of power is Rs.11 per unit and the cheap power generated through solar energy can be used for automobiles and other developmental works. He exuded confidence that within five years, India will be top manufacturing hub for automobile in the world. He said, by making solar energy available, we will create big market for electric vehicles.
The Minister invited investors abroad to invest in Indian MSMEs and expressed hope that this will provide a number of opportunities to MSME sector to become the world’s largest manufacturing hub. Terming MSME sector as the backbone of the Indian economy, Sh. Gadkari said that the sector contributes around 30% in the country’s GDP and provides employment to over 10 crore people.
The event was aimed at providing a platform for MSMEs to showcase their strength, highlight their business opportunities, and to facilitate the dissemination of knowledge. Indian renewable energy sector is the fourth most attractive renewable energy market in the world. India is at fifth position in solar and fourth in renewable power installed capacity. The Government has set an ambitious target for renewable energy and in particular, solar power generation, for this decade. The target for renewable energy installation is 450 GW by year 2030.
Ministry of Railways
Present increase in platform ticket prices at some stations is a "Temporary" measure to prevent the spread of Corona through crowding
This is being done at Limited number of station which see heavy rush. 
Powers delegated to DRMs since 2015 to raise platform ticket prices to prevent crowding at stations
This is in practice for many years and is used occasionally as a SHORT TERM crowd control measure. There is NOTHING new about it
This is often done during festival season & Melas etc and gradually rolled back
This time its being due to Covid exigencies and decision taken in interest of public only
At many places, it was introduced in March after lockdown. 
There have been some reports in the media regarding the price of platform tickets.
Hike in price of platform ticket is a TEMPORARY measure and is a field activity undertaken by railway administration in the interest of safety of passengers and to prevent overcrowding at stations. Deterring more persons to visit station, the platform ticket charges are increased from time to time after assessing ground situation. This is in practice for many years and is used occasionally as a SHORT TERM crowd control measure. There is NOTHING new about it.
Considering the upsurge of COVID in few states, Indian Railway is discouraging people from unnecessary crowding at the platforms .Rush at the platforms during pandemic situation also needs to be regulated. The exercise is in Public interest only.
In March 2020, many divisions in Railways enhanced the platform ticket price at various stations to avoid crowding. Later, this was revoked over a period of time for example Central Zone , ECR to name a few. During festivals like Chathh, Diwali or Melas etc as well in different zones it is often temporarily increased and later on rolled back.
Regulation and controlling of crowd at stations is the responsibility of DRMs. Powers are delegated to DRMs since 2015 to raise platform ticket to regulate rush at platforms during specific requirements like mela, rally etc. The power to change charges of platform ticket has been delegated to DRM s due to field management requirement.
Link of the Order.
Cabinet
Cabinet approves MoU signed between India and Myanmar on bilateral cooperation for Prevention of Trafficking in Persons;
The Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has given approval for the Memorandum of Understanding  between India and Myanmar on bilateral cooperation for Prevention of Trafficking in Persons; Rescue, Recovery, Repatriation and Re-integration of victims of Trafficking.
The MoU aims:
- To strengthen the bonds of friendship between the two countries and to increase bilateral cooperation on the issues of prevention, rescue, recovery and repatriation related to human trafficking.
- To strengthen cooperation to prevent all forms of human trafficking and to protect and assist the victims of trafficking
- Ensure speedy investigation and prosecution of traffickers and organized crime syndicates in either country.
- To strengthen immigration and border controls cooperation and implementation of strategies with relevant Ministries and Organizations to prevent trafficking in persons.
- Setting up Working Groups/ Task Force to make efforts to prevent human trafficking
- Develop and share database on traffickers and victims of trafficking in a safe and confidential manner and exchange information through designated focal points of India and Myanmar
- Capacity building programmes for the agencies concerned of both countries.
- Formulation and adoption of Standard Operating Procedures for Rescue, Recovery, Repatriation and Integration of the victims of trafficking.
Background:
Human Trafficking has national as well as international ramifications. The complex nature of human trafficking calls for a multidimensional strategy in tackling it at domestic, regional and international level. Being global in scope, international cooperation and collaboration is essential to check trafficking in persons.
Strengthening cooperation between border control agencies and establishment of direct channels of communication between India and Myanmar can be an effective tool in countering trafficking in persons and promoting cross-border and regional cooperation.
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
Smt. Dr Bharati Pravin Pawar Honorable Union Minister of state for Health and Family welfare visits AIIMS Bibinagar
Releases official newsletter of the Institute “Med Communique”
Honourable Union minister of state for Health and Family welfare, Smt Dr. Bharati Pravin Pawar today released the official newsletter of the AIIMS Bibinagar Institute “Med Communique”. The official newsletter focused on the academic achievements, research acumen as well as other collaborations in the Institute. Addressing the program Honourable Union minister of state for Health and Family welfare highlighted the noble intentions of our Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi who envisioned a healthy India with accessible and affordable health care for one and all. The Pandemic strife saw the emergence of a new India, where all our capabilities and efforts collated to deliver world class health care services, she added. On this occasion Smt Dr. Bharati Pravin Pawar also inaugurated the newly set digital radiography, ultrasonography labs and participated in the plantation drive at Rainbow park along with the MBBS students of the institute. Later along with the officials Union minister of state visited the Hospital and observed the progress made and enquired about the unabated OPD services and other facilities provided by the institute .
Earlier during the program AIIMS Executive Director Prof Dr. Vikas Bhatia gave a brief introduction about the Institute progress its outreach services, mobile medical units for people in community, Vaccination coverage, diagnostic set ups as well as the research accomplishments.
Member of Parliament,Shri Komati Reddy Venkat , AIIMS Executive director Prof Dr. Vikas Bhatia, Dean Prof Dr. Nitin John, Deputy Director Administration, Col. SP Anantrao and Medical Superintendent, Dr. Kalyani Sridhanlakshmi , staff of AIIMS Bibinagar etc also participated in the event.
Prime Minister's Office
President’s address eve of the 77th Independence Day presents a vision for all-round progress in the times to come: PM
The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi has shared President, Smt Droupadi Murmu's address to the nation on the eve of the 77th Independence Day.
In a tweet, PM said;
“A very inspiring address by Rashtrapati Ji, outlining India's developmental strides and presenting a vision for all-round progress in the times to come.”